Buff Pass: Upper Bitch

Date

12/18/2020

Location

Day #

16

Avalanche Danger

2,2,2

Persistent Slab: Small-large possible on NW-E
More snow and westerly winds are pushing the snowpack towards a tipping point. Wind-drifted slabs building on easterly-facing slopes below ridges or the backside of steep rollovers are the most dangerous and likely places to trigger an avalanche. Look for shooting cracks along the snow surface or booming collapses as clear signs of this problem. Wind-drifted snow will often appear smooth or rounded and feel denser than the snow in protected terrain. With growing slabs and weak snow below, any avalanche you trigger may break wider and deeper than you would expect.

Ski Partners

Jeffrey Campbell & Frank Giessling

Route

Weather

HSN24

3"

HSN48

3"

Precip

S1

Sky

Obscured

Winds

Calm

Temps

15-20F

Ski Pen

50cm

Foot Pen

100cm

Snowpack Observations

Touchy… Lots of cracking and remote and skier triggered soft slabs up to 18″ deep.

Riding Quality

Shallow & unsupportable. Punching through and hit some rocks. Sketchy!